U.S. issues tsunami advisory for Hawaii after massive quake in Chile

WASHINGTON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. warning center issued a tsunami advisory for the state of Hawaii early Wednesday, after an 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the Chilean coast.

"Based on all available data, a major tsunami is not expected to strike the state of Hawaii," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a statement.

However, sea level changes and strong currents may occur along all coasts that could be a hazard to swimmers and boaters as well as to persons near the shore at beaches and in harbors and marinas, said the statement.

The warning center said the initial wave from the earthquake is expected to reach Hawaii at 3:24 a.m. local time (1324 GMT) on Wednesday, adding that "the threat may continue for several hours" after the wave arrives.

Five people are confirmed to have died in the massive quake that hit off the Chilean northern coast on Tuesday, according to Chilean Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo.

According to the University of Chile Seismological Service, the powerful tremor struck at 8:46 p.m. local time (2346 GMT) and the epicenter, at a depth of 44 km, is located 99 km northwest of the mining port of Iquique, near the Peruvian border.